So today is the first official day of Summer! Tis the season of having to actually shave my legs everyday, and turning into Jekyll and Hyde in this Texas heat.

Okay, so Summer may not be my favorite quarter of the year (it’s my least fave, actually), but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how to faux celebrate the season…if sweets are involved. I mean, baked goods make everything better, right? (Well, they do nothing for me in a swimsuit…but I digress.)

Anywho, since I’m all about good snacks I’m going to feature some summer-themed treats for the next few months so join me on this journey won’t you? First up: family reunion cookies. Since Summer is synonymous with reunions, I thought I would make cookies for our Annual Carr-Byrd (yes, those are our names) Family Reunion. My dad and stepmom hosted the event, and since I wanted to contribute I did what I do best; I brought sweets.

The cookies are decorated with royal icing. They were a little rushed because I decided to make them at the last-minute, so it’s good they were just for family. Instead of a strickly vanilla and almond-based cookie I flavored half the dough with lemon and vanilla, and the other half with orange and almond. It’s amazing what a little citrus zest can do for a cookie.